FAQ

All of our puppies are born and raised in the home, some even sleep in the bedroom with us! We want our new mothers and puppies kept safe and warm, and we want your puppy to be exposed to all the sights, sounds, and smells of the home so he is a well-adjusted companion.

Our puppies receive a variety of stimulation, socialization, and care beginning at birth. All of our puppies are born indoors, in our home. Our females have stable temperaments and allow us to handle and check on their puppies. Beginning the day after birth, we use early neurological stimulation aka, Bio Sensor Program which involves handling neo-natal puppies in a variety of positions in order to help stimulate and develop their neurological systems, increase stress tolerance, stronger heart beats, immune system, and adrenal glands. As of January, 2014, we have expanded our Neonatal Stimulation Program to include Early Scent Introduction (ESI). It is quite fun and very interesting to watch the neonates use their olfactory perception to explore the world from their whelping box. We closely monitor the puppies’ ability to feed and keep track of their weights. Puppies are marked with colored ribbons or collars so that we can monitor their individual progress. When the puppies are old enough, we allow a variety of visitors to play with them, handle them, and feed them. We introduce crates, solid foods, outdoor play time, and walking on various surfaces such as elevated planks and inflated discs. The latter helps the puppy learn body awareness and balance, as well as boost their confidence while interacting with a variety of textures and surfaces. We play various types of music and expose them to a plethora of recorded sounds, such as, lightening, gun shots, motor noises, waves, party sounds, elevator, laughing, kids playing, and as simple as it seems, the pups are also exposed to quiet. We vaccinate puppies between 7-8 weeks (unless requested not to) with Nobivac modified live Distemper and Parvovirus (per recommendation of Dr. Jean Dodds). Puppies are examined by a veterinarian (other than Dr. Mostosky) at 7-8 weeks. Puppies are de-wormed regularly. Puppies are tattooed before leaving Alta-Tollhaus.

We encourage you to come visit the dogs and puppies. We will get to know you and assist you with choosing the best puppy for your goals and lifestyle. As you are researching German Shepherds and breeders, please jot down your goals for your dog (family protection, herding dog, service dog, family pet, show dog, Schutzhund/IPO, agility or other dog sports, etc.) and what you would like or dislike in your dog. (Do you like high energy or a more laid-back dog? A dog with a lot of drive and spunk or a more mellow dog?)
Since we spend considerable time planning carefully matched breedings, raising and training our dogs, and developing our puppies, we know our dogs and puppies better than anyone and strive to provide you with the dog that will fulfill your goals and meet your criteria. Puppies are temperament tested by our Schutzhund trainer, Gustavo Sanchez, between 7 – 8 weeks. The results of the temperament testing helps determine which puppies would be the best for you. When it comes down to it, It may not be the puppy you pick, the puppy may pick you!

The obvious difference is anatomy and size. Males take longer to mature to than the females. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence floating around as to which gender is smarter, more protective, more affectionate…but the most important thing is that you are matched with the puppy that best fits your lifestyle, male or female.
We do not require neutering of your male dog. But if you choose to alter your dog it should only be done after the growth plates have closed >17 months. This also applies to females, however, for health reasons your female dog should be spayed at the appropriate age 13 – 18 months.

Standard-stock coated puppies are $2,500; occasionally there may be a puppy priced lower and higher than this range. Final price is set between 7-8 weeks, after they have been vet checked, temperament tested, and evaluated.

Long-stock coated puppies are $1,800. The only difference with a long coat puppy versus a standard-coat is the length of the top coat.

As of January 1, 2011, the FCI has approved the German Shepherd Dog with “Long coat/hair with undercoat” to: 1. Participate in Breed Surveys 2. Participate in breed shows in their own class. 3. Accepted into the Breed Books. To be bred to the same coat type.

Unlike commercial breeders, we do NOT use elaborate pricing structures based on “pick order” or the registration status of the puppy.

Since we are not a commercial kennel we only accept reservations after you have been approved for an Alta-Tollhaus puppy. To be approved, please email us at: alta.tollhaus@gmail.com. Reservations are $500 which will be applied to the total price of the puppy. The balance is due at the time you pick up your puppy or one week prior if the puppy is being shipped. All reservations are non-refundable. If for some reason we do not have a suitable puppy for you, your deposit will be transferred to the next available litter. We make every effort to best match you with a puppy that fulfills your dreams. Final decisions on who-gets-what- puppy is not made until the puppies are over 7 weeks of age. The pups are physically and mentally ready to leave their littermates at 8 weeks.

Our puppies are raised with love and affection; our puppies are companions, not commodities.

Of course! We encourage you to come visit the puppies and adult dogs. We have many people routinely visit our puppies to ensure that they enjoy handling and are well socialized. However, please remember our dogs live in our home and we appreciate making an appointment ahead of time. We also ask that you do not visit another kennel prior to coming.

Our dogs live primarily in our home. We have 108 acres where our dogs can run and explore, as well as several secure yards and runs for outdoor activity. We have a dedicated trial-sized Schutzhund/IPO training field, and an outdoor trial-sized agility/show ring.

Our dogs and puppies eat a raw diet alternating with a variety of premium foods. The commercial dog food we use is high quality with no genetically modified grains, no corn, wheat or soy. Some of the brands we have used include Honest Kitchen, Bravo, Primal, Real Meat, Nature’s Variety Frozen, Nature’s Logic, Innova, Evo, Fromm, Orijen, and Wellness Core. The Dog Food Analysis web site is a great resource for comparing commercial kibbles. We do not use “puppy formulas”. Since German Shepherds are a large breed and are slow to mature, we recommend using a proper “all life stages” diet from weaning through adulthood in order to promote slow growth and development. Some puppy foods can be too high in calcium and other ingredients. We also encourage BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), raw, and/or home cooked diets. We do not require that prospective owners use a certain food or supplement, however if you would like suggestions we are happy to help. For training treats and tracking bait, we use and recommend chopped “food roll” such as meat rolls from Happy Howie’s.

We vaccinate puppies between 7-8 weeks with Nobivac Modified-Live Parvo & Distemper. Puppies also see an outside vet (other than Julie’s husband, Dr. Mostosky) at 7-8 weeks. We encourage you to bring your puppy to your own vet within 48 hours to make sure you and your vet are satisfied with the health and quality of your puppy. The puppies are also de-wormed regularly.

All of our breeding dogs (and the males that we breed to) have the appropriate hip and elbow certifications, either through the OFA and/or the A-stamp program in Germany and are certified clear of hip and elbow dysplasia. All of our dogs are also tested for DM (degenerative myelopathy). It seems it should go without saying, but all dogs used for breeding are healthy and sound, mentally and physically.

Our breeding dogs are all trained and titled to the German standard for breeding. They all have Schutzhund/IPO and/or HGH (herding) titles. They also have German conformation ratings of “V” and the highest level Koerung (Breed Survey) – Koerklasse 1. The Breed Survey involves a qualified judge closely examining the physical structure, temperament, and working abilities of the dog. The dog must already have a conformation rating of SG or higher, a Schutzhund/IPO or HGH title, and certified hips and elbows.

Shipping is available if you are purchasing your puppy or dog for: herding, protection (i.e. guarding/security), service, therapy, and/or breeding. If you are purchasing a dog or puppy strictly for companionship you must visit us at the time of, or prior to the time of purchase.